Myth Buster: Does Closing Vents Actually Lower Heating Costs?

Myth Buster: Does Closing Vents Actually Lower Heating Costs?

Cooling and heating costs are on everyone’s minds. It’s not all about spending too much money, either; it’s about making good use of our limited energy resources. The Bradbury Brothers Heating and Air Conditioning professionals’ social media goal is to share ways to lower your cooling and heating costs, and we will continue to do so; that’s why we hope you stay in touch with us, online, year-round. And sometimes even we learn something new about HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) maintenance. We want to share it with you as soon as possible.

Closing Vents: Fable or Fact

Think about it: Your heating unit won’t run less air because you closed one or more vents. The same amount of air will simply re-route through the vents that are open. This adds pressure to your air duct system, a bad thing. The extra pressure to force more air out of fewer exits can cause or exacerbate duct leaks.

Because of the leaks, the unit struggles to force more air into your home; it runs longer to reach the desired thermostat setting. Longer running unit + more air = higher heating costs.

“I don’t have any leaks in my ductwork,” you may say. That might be true if you’ve had your HVAC unit inspected recently. According to Energy Star®, the average home has a heating/cooling air loss between 20-30% because of leaks and/or poorly connected ducts.

What’s True: Professional HVAC Inspections Save Money

Cooling and heating costs can be lowered with common-sense, DIY (do-it-yourself) maintenance, but a spring and fall professional inspection by Bradbury Brothers Heating and Air Conditioning is how many homeowners keep their costs below average and their units operating longer at maximum efficiency. Call 281.651.5484, 936.271.2030, or contact us today to schedule a whole-house inspection. If there’s a way to save you money on cooling and heating costs, we’ll help you find it!